CVS Health extends cost-sharing waivers and announces new action to support Aetna members during the COVID-19 pandemic

CVS Health extends cost-sharing waivers and announces new action to support Aetna members during the COVID-19 pandemic

Now covering out-of-pocket costs for primary care services for Medicare Advantage members

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 15, 2020 – CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced it is extending a range of cost-sharing waivers and benefits to help Aetna members access the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize the unique role we can play in addressing the pandemic and protecting people’s health,” said Karen S. Lynch, Executive Vice President, CVS Health and President, Aetna Business Unit. “We remain committed to helping our members get the care they need without the added worry of wondering how they will pay for it. We’ll continue to invest in efforts that support our members’ physical and mental wellbeing, letting them know they are not alone during this crisis.”

For members of Aetna-insured Commercial, Medicare Advantage and applicable Medicaid plans, the company is extending all member cost-sharing and co-pay waivers for inpatient admissions for treatment of COVID-19 or health complications associated with COVID-19. Additionally, given the escalating mental health crisis resulting from or amplified by the pandemic, Aetna is extending all member cost-sharing waivers for in-network telemedicine visits for outpatient behavioral and mental health counseling services. These actions, which were scheduled to expire on June 1, 2020, have been extended through September 30, 2020. Aetna will continue working with self-funded plan sponsors to provide options.

The company is also taking additional steps to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for primary care services for Medicare Advantage members. Effective from today through September 30, 2020, Aetna is waiving member out-of-pocket costs for all in-network primary care visits, whether done in-office and via telehealth, for any reason, and encourages members to continue seeking essential preventive and primary care during the pandemic.

In addition to supporting members’ access to needed care, Aetna continues to focus on protecting patient access to medication. It has extended the following actions, which were scheduled to expire on May 15, 2020, through September 30, 2020:

Waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members with pharmacy benefits administered through CVS Caremark.

Continuing to encourage all members of Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans to take advantage of plan benefits for 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions.

These announcements build on CVS Health’s overall efforts to help members, customers, providers and communities navigate through this public health emergency. More information on steps CVS Health has taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic is available at the company’s frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.

About CVS Health

CVS Health employees are united around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health company in the world. We’re evolving based on changing consumer needs and meeting people where they are, whether that’s in the community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings – from HealthHUB® locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions – are designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable experience. Learn more about how we’re transforming health at https://www.cvshealth.com.